Hang up magnet for radio microphone

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosed for safely and efficiently removing or returning a radio microphone from a mounting surface. The system includes a first magnet attached to the rear side of a radio microphone and a second magnet located at a desired mounting position on the mounting surface. The second magnet preferably includes an outer vinyl layer to prevent breaking or cracking of the first second magnet when returning the radio microphone to its mounting position.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of radio microphone devices. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a system for safely andefficiently removing or returning a radio microphone from its mountingdevice using magnets.

BACKGROUND

Radio microphones have traditionally been attached to their mountingdevice in an automobile using a clip assembly. The clip assemblyutilizes a tongue and groove attachment. As such, when the radio userwants to remove or replace a radio microphone from the traditional‘hang-up clip’ mount, they might find it difficult to locate the precisepositioning required to attach the radio microphone to its mountingdevice. This normally requires them to either waste time trying toremove or replace the microphone or causing them to concentrate onremoving or replacing the microphone rather than concentrating on theirdriving.

What is needed, therefore, is a system for safely and efficientlyremoving or returning a radio microphone from its mounting device.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to a magnetizedradio microphone mounting system. According to one embodiment of theinvention the radio microphone mounting system includes a radiomicrophone having a rear surface. A magnet is externally attached to therear surface of the radio microphone for mounting the radio microphoneto a magnetically attractable mounting surface. In preferredembodiments, the mounting system includes a second magnet for attachingto the mounting surface and for attracting the magnet attached to therear surface of the radio microphone, the attraction between the magnetsbeing of sufficient strength for the mounting of the radio microphone tothe mounting surface. An external shock absorbent layer may be providedfor covering at least one of the magnets for preventing damage to themagnets and the mounting surface. In preferred embodiments, the externalshock absorbent layer is vinyl.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the second magnet isdisposed within an outer layer of a plastic housing. The plastic housingincludes at least one hole for attaching the plastic housing to themounting surface, and the hole may be elongated for adjusting the heightof the plastic housing with respect to the mounting surface. In otherembodiments, the magnet attached to the rear surface of the radiomicrophone may be disposed within a plastic housing.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the radio microphonemounting system includes a first magnet for attaching to a rear surfaceof a radio microphone and a second magnet for attaching to a mountingsurface, the second magnet for attracting the first magnet and theattraction between the first and second magnets being of sufficientstrength for the mounting of the radio microphone to the mountingsurface. An external shock absorbent layer may be provided for coveringat least one of the magnets for preventing damage to the magnets and themounting surface. In preferred embodiments, the external shock absorbentlayer is vinyl.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the radio microphonemounting system includes a radio microphone having a non-magnetic rearsurface receptive to magnetic flux and a magnet for attaching to amounting surface, the magnet for attracting the non-magnetic rearsurface of the radio microphone and for mounting the radio microphone tothe mounting surface. In preferred embodiments, the non-magnetic rearsurface is a metallic material receptive to magnetic flux.

In an alternative aspect, the radio microphone mounting system includesa handset adapter capable of mechanically mounting to the hang-up clipof a handset microphone and a magnetic mounting assembly capable ofbeing mounted to a mounting surface. The mounting assembly of thisaspect of the invention is specially configured to provide one or moremeaningful improvements. For example, the mounting assembly may beconfigured to assist in providing appropriate alignment between theadapter and the magnet. As another example, the mounting assembly may beconfigured to help provide substantially uniform magnetic attractionbetween the microphone and the mounting assembly despite variations inthe environment in which the mounting assembly is mounted. As yetanother example, the mounting assembly may be configured to provideelectrical conductivity between the magnet and the ground, therebyfacilitating proper operation of radios that utilize a microphonegrounding function.

In one embodiment, the handset adapter is not a magnet, but ismanufactured from a material that is attracted by a magnet, such as aferromagnetic material, like steel, iron, nickel or cobalt. The adaptermay be a generally circular disk and may include a slot-and-groovearrangement that is configured to be slid over a conventional hang-upclip on the rear of the radio microphone. For example, the adapter maybe fitted over the tongue in a conventional “tongue-and-groove” hang-upsystem. The size and shape of the slot-and-groove arrangement may beselected to accommodate hang-up clips of various sizes and shapes,thereby providing an essentially universal adapter. The adapter mayinclude a set screw for securing the adapter to the hang-up clip. In oneembodiment, the adapter includes a coaxially disposed set screw forselectively securing the adapter.

In one embodiment, the mounting assembly includes a magnet, a carrierconstructed from a material substantially not attractable by a magnet,and a backing plate constructed from a material attractable by a magnet.The magnet may be a rare-earth magnet that is press-fitted into assemblywith the carrier. The magnet may be axially polarized to provide themounting assembly with a larger “landing zone.” The carrier may besufficiently non-magnetic or non-magnetically permeable that it does notcommunicate sufficient magnetic force to attract the adapter, therebyhelping to ensure that the adapter magnetically couples to the magnetand not to the carrier. The carrier may be manufactured from aluminum orfrom essentially any other material capable of supporting the magnetwithout communicating sufficient magnet flux to become magneticallyattractive to the adapter.

In one embodiment, the backing plate is positioned behind the carrieropposite the magnet. The backing plate is configured to provide amagnetic field flow path that helps to isolate the magnetic field of themagnet from environmental structure—most notably the mounting structure.In the absence of the backing plate, the strength of the magneticattraction between the adapter and the mounting assembly may varysignificantly from application to application depending on the magneticproperties of the mounting structure, such as the vehicle dashboard orcenter console. For example, the magnetic attraction between the adapterand the magnet may increase significantly in the absence of the backingplate if the carrier is mounted to a material attractable by a magnet.

In one embodiment, the mounting assembly includes an integratedgrounding path configured to allow the radio system to ground when thehandset is “parked” on the magnet. The grounding path may include aconductive element disposed between the magnet and a potential ground.In one embodiment, the carrier and the backing plate each include athrough hole and the conductive element is an electrically conductivespring that is fitted through the through holes. In use, the spring iscompressed between the backside of the magnet and a ground elementagainst which the backing plate is mounted, such as a grounded dashboardor a grounded center console. Alternatively, the conductive element mayprovide an electrical flow path between the magnet and the backingplate, and the backing plate may be grounded, for example, using agrounding screw or a grounding wire.

The present invention provides a simple and effective conversion thatcan be sold as an after-market kit that converts an existing radio,public address (“PA”) system and/or citizen band (“CB”) radio. In oneembodiment, the present invention is capable of easily converting awide-range of systems that utilize a tongue and groove hang-up systeminto a magnetically attracted hang-up system by installing an adapter tothe microphone handset and replacing an existing mechanical mount with amagnetic mounting assembly. The adapter is easily fitted to a hang-upclip on the radio handset with a simple sliding action, and can besecurely locked in place using a standard set screw. This simpleinstallation and removal not only facilitates conversion, but allows theadapter to be easily moved from handset to handset, as desired. Forexample, it is not uncommon for an emergency rescue vehicle to includemore than one radio and consequently more than one handset. The vehiclemay be used by different operators that have different radiopreferences. The mounting system of the present invention is simple andquick enough to allow each operator to move the adapter to the preferredradio when that operator is using the vehicle.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides optimizedperformance. For example, the features of various embodiments may becombined to provide a system with a large, secure landing zone thatfirmly holds the handset with a uniform force. The use of a non-magneticcarrier helps to isolate the magnetic attraction to the region of themagnet and not to the surrounding carrier. This helps to ensure a strongand uniform magnetic bond between the handset and the mounting assemblywhile effectively preventing the handset from being weakly coupled tothe carrier by a relatively weak magnetic field that could becommunicated through a material attractable by a magnet. The use of amagnetically permeable backing plate helps to control the magnetic fieldproduced by the magnet to reduce the effect of environmental materialson the attractive force of the adapter and magnet. If desired, thecharacteristics of the adapter, magnet, carrier and backing plate can beselected in combination to provide the desired pull-force.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the details ofoperation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodimentsand of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways notexpressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may beused in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwiseexpressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed aslimiting the invention to any specific order or number of components.Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from thescope of the invention any additional steps or components that might becombined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to thedetailed description in conjunction with the figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a traditional hang-up clip assembly for mounting atraditional radio microphone as commonly known in the prior art;

FIG. 2 depicts a tongue assembly attached to the rear end of a radiomicrophone for mounting upon the traditional hang-up clip assembly ofFIG. 1 as commonly known in the prior art;

FIG. 3 depicts a magnet attached to the rear surface of a radiomicrophone according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a magnet attached to the rear surface of the radiomicrophone and mounted to a second magnet attached to a mounting surfaceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a plastic housing for mounting second magnet to themicrophone mounting surface; and

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the plastic housing depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a radio microphone mounting system constructedin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of the radio microphone mounting systemof FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a handset adapter in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the handset adapter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the handset adapter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the handset adapter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the handset adapter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the handset adapter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a carrier in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the carrier of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the carrier of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a top view of a magnet in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the magnet of FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a carrier and magnet in accordancewith an embodiment of the inventions.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the carrier and magnet of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a backing plate in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a top view of the backing plate of FIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the backing plate of FIG. 20.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the backing plate of FIG. 20.

FIG. 26 is a side exploded view of a grounding path.

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the grounding path of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a side exploded view of a grounding path.

FIG. 29 is a side view of the grounding path of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a side exploded view of a grounding path.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the grounding path of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the grounding path of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged sectional view of the grounding path of FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 is a side exploded view of a grounding path.

FIG. 35 is a side view of the grounding path of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the grounding path of FIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is a side view of a radio microphone mounting system constructedin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a partially exploded view of the radio microphone mountingsystem of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a partially exploded view of the radio microphone mountingsystem of FIG. 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Directional terms, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,”“upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are usedto assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of theembodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional termsshould not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specificorientation(s).

Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a device well known in the art for attaching aradio microphone 10 to an automobile dashboard or other mountinglocation using a traditional hang-up clip assembly 12. Referring to FIG.1, the traditional hang-up clip assembly 12 is a “tongue-and-groove”system that utilizes a metal groove 14 for mounting the radio microphone10 when the microphone is not being used. As depicted in FIG. 2, a metaltongue 16 is attached to the rear side 18 of the radio microphone 10 forplacement in the metal groove 14 when hanging up the radio microphone10.

A radio microphone 20 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. The radio microphone 20 has afront side 22 and rear side 24, and a first magnet 26 is externallyattached to the rear side 24 of the radio microphone 20. The firstmagnet 26 is of a sufficient strength to attach to a second magnet 28disposed at a desired location 29, such as the dashboard of anautomobile, for mounting the radio microphone 20. Due to the attractionbetween the first 26 and second magnets 28, a user of the microphone 20preferably only has to place the rear side 24 of the microphone 20 inthe general vicinity of the second magnet 28 for the mounting of theradio microphone 20 to the mounting surface 29. Thus, the user canquickly and efficiently mount the radio microphone 20 after use withouttaking his eyes off the road, or otherwise diverting his attention fromdriving, to accurately place the microphone 20 in the traditional clipassembly 12. Furthermore, the user will be able to easily remove themicrophone 20 from its mounted location for use by merely pulling on themicrophone 20 with enough strength to separate the first 26 and secondmagnets 28.

The second magnet 28 disposed at the mounting surface 29 may alsoinclude an outer vinyl layer 30. The outer vinyl layer 30 acts as acushion or shock absorber that allows the user to hang up the radiomicrophone 20 without fear of cracking or breaking either of the first26 or second magnets 28 when they are pulled together. Alternatively,the first magnet 26, or both the first 26 and second magnets 28, mayinclude an outer vinyl layer 30.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the second magnet 28may be disposed within a plastic housing 32, and the plastic housing canbe attached to the desired mounting surface 29. As shown in FIGS. 5 and6, the plastic housing 32 may include an upper hole 34 and a lower hole38 for attaching the plastic housing 32 to the desired mounting surface29 using screws or other attachment means. The mounting surface 29 mayinclude, for example, the dashboard of a vehicle, a desk, or any othermounting location where radio microphones may be used. Thus, the usermay attach the plastic housing 32 and associated second magnet 28 to anydesired mounting surface 29, and the plastic housing 32 may be removedand utilized with a different radio microphone 20 and/or anothermounting location. The upper hole 34 and/or lower hole 32 may also beelongated to allow for adjustment of the plastic housing 32 in an upwardor downward direction when attaching the housing 32 to the mountingsurface 29. As shown in FIG. 6, the second magnet 28 is preferablyembedded within the outer surface 40 of the plastic housing 32 so thatthe attraction of the second magnet 28 is not diminished. Furthermore,the plastic housing 32 and/or second magnet 28 may also include theouter vinyl layer 30 to prevent breaking of the magnets 26 and 28 asdescribed above.

While the plastic housing 32 is discussed above with respect to thesecond magnet 28, a similar plastic housing as described above may alsobe used to attach the first magnet 26 to the radio microphone 20.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the radiomicrophone 20 does not include the first magnet 26. Instead of the firstmagnet 26, the rear side 24 of the radio microphone 20 has a metal bodyfor attraction to the second magnet 28. Thus, a user only has to placethe metal body of the radio microphone 20 near the second magnet 28 toreplace the radio microphone 20 at the mounting location.

A radio microphone mounting system constructed in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7-25 and generallydesignated 100. The system 100 generally includes a handset adapter 110and a housing or mounting assembly supporting a magnet 200 including acarrier 150 and a backing plate 180. The radio microphone 300, clip 310and mounting surface 320 are also illustrated in FIGS. 7-8. The mountingsystem 100 may be mounted to any suitable mounting surface 320,including vehicle dashboards and center consoles, as well as an outsidesurface of the radio, a desk or other work surface or a wall.

A handset adapter 110 is shown in FIGS. 9-14. The handset adapter 110may include a slot 112 for receiving the hang up clip of a microphone,and a groove 114 for receiving the post connected to the hang up clip.The slot 112 and groove 114 may be sized to receive hang-up clips ofvarious sizes and shapes, which may yield a universal after-marketadapter 110. Optionally, the slot 112 may have a width of betweenapproximately 0.5 and 1.0 inches, and further optionally approximately0.77 inches. Optionally, the slot 112 may have a depth of betweenapproximately 0.050 to 0.150 inches, and further optionallyapproximately 0.095 inches. Optionally the groove 114 may have a widthof between approximately 0.1 and 0.5 inches, and further optionallyapproximately 0.375 inches.

The handset adapter 110 may include an aperture 116 that receives asecuring element 117 for securing the handset adapter 110 to the hang-upclip after the clip is inserted into the slot 112. The securing element117 may be any suitable element, including a hex-key-operated set screwthreaded into the aperture 116. This type of fastener may allow quickand easy engagement and disengagement from the clip. As illustrated, theaperture 116 and set screw may be coaxially positioned relative to thehandset adapter 110. Referring to FIG. 1, the hang up clip 116 mayinclude a centrally-located inset dimple. The aperture 116 may bepositioned to align with the inset dimple so that, when tightened, theset screw 117 (or other securing element) engages hang-up clip in theinset dimple. In addition to securing the adapter 110, the set screw 117may also help to ensure sufficient electrical conductivity between thehang-up clip and the adapter 110 to allow the handset microphone toground through the adapter 110 when hung-up on the mounting assembly.More specifically, tightening of set screw 117 may ensure there issufficient engagement between the adapter 110 and the hang-up clip toprovide electrical conductivity between the hang-up clip and the adapter110. The handset adapter 110 may include a first surface 118 adapted toface the microphone and a second surface 120 adapted to face away fromthe microphone. The handset adapter 110 may be any of a variety ofshapes, including a disk with a chamfered edge, as illustrated. Thechamfered edge may facilitate a smoother engagement and disengagement ofadapter 110 with the magnet 200, and may allow the user to roll theadapter 110 off of the magnet 200 for easier disengagement. In thisembodiment, the handset adapter 110 may be a non-magnet. The handsetadapter 110 may be made from any suitable material that is attracted bya magnet, including materials such as steel, iron, nickel and cobalt.Optionally, the handset adapter 110 may be 1018 carbon steel with ablack oxide finish to prevent corrosion. A coating for the handsetadapter 110 may also be electrically conductive, to promote grounding ofthe microphone, as discussed below. As used in this application, theterms “magnetic” and “magnetically permeable” each refer to a materialthat is attractable by a magnet. The terms “non-magnetic” and“non-magnetically permeable” each refer to a material that is notattractable by a magnet. The term “non-magnet” means not a magnet, butdoes allow for a material that is magnetic (e.g. attractable to amagnet). It should be noted that materials that are insufficientmagnets, insufficiently magnetic, or insufficiently magneticallypermeable to function in the desired manner described in thisapplication are considered to be “non-magnets,” “non-magnetic” and“non-magnetically permeable.”

A carrier 150 is shown in FIGS. 15-21. The carrier 150 may include avoid 152 for receiving the magnet 200. The magnet 200 may be attached tothe carrier 150 using any suitable method, including a friction fit,adhesive and one or more fasteners. In a friction fit configuration, thevoid 152 may be made slightly smaller than the magnet 200, to allow fora press-fit insertion of the magnet 200. The void 152 may be anysuitable size to receive the magnet 200 and may optionally be taperedwith a larger diameter positioned closer to first surface 162 and asmaller diameter positioned closer to second surface 164. The magnet 200may be any suitable size and shape, including disk shaped, asillustrated. The magnet may be made of any suitable magnet material,including neodymium and other alloys of rare earth elements. The carrier150 may include an aperture 156 positioned coaxially with the void 152,and one or more countersunk apertures 158, 160 for receiving one or moremounting fasteners 224, 226. The carrier 150 may have a first surface162 facing toward the microphone and a second surface 164 facing awayfrom the microphone. The carrier 150 may be made from any suitablenon-magnetic material, including aluminum with a flat black anodizedfinish to prevent corrosion. The carrier 150 may include a lip 154 forprotecting a side surface of the magnet 200, and for setting a properfriction fit for the magnet 200. The carrier 150 may be electricallynon-conductive.

A backing plate 180 is shown in FIGS. 22-25. The backing plate 180 mayhave one or more apertures 182, 184 for receiving one or more mountingfasteners 224, 226. As illustrated, the backing plate 180 may be sizedand shaped to match the carrier 150. The backing plate 180 may be madefrom any suitable magnetic or magnetically permeable material, such as1018 carbon steel with a black oxide finish to prevent corrosion.

To assemble the radio microphone mounting system 100, the handsetadapter 110, carrier 150, backing plate 180 and magnet 200 are allformed using suitable processes, including machining, punching andforging. The handset adapter 110 is slid onto the hang-up clip for themicrophone, and the securing element is tightened against the clip. Ifan existing conventional hang-up clip mount for a radio microphone iscurrently installed on a mounting surface (on the dash of a vehicle forexample), the currently-installed mount may be removed. The apertures158, 160, 182, 184 for receiving mounting fasteners 224, 226 may bepositioned so that they match the existing holes for the conventionalhang-up clip mount and allow for an easier retrofit. The carrier 150 maybe placed on top of the backing plate 180, and the mounting fasteners224, 226 may be secured through the apertures 158, 160, 182, 184 tomount the carrier 150 and backing plate 180 to the mounting surface. Ifa friction fit is used, the magnet 200 may be press-fitted into the void152 in the carrier 150 opposite the backing plate 180.

The materials and the configuration of the radio microphone mountingsystem 100 may provide certain benefits with regard to the magneticfield produced. The magnet 200 may be axially polarized. An axiallypolarized magnet may provide a broader and more consistent “landingzone” for the handset adapter 110 than a magnet that is diametricallypolarized. As a result, the landing zone produced by anaxially-polarized magnet may be more useful when the user must connectthe handset adapter 110 and the magnet 200 based on feel and withoutlooking at either object. In this manner, the user may attach thehandset adapter 110 and the magnet 200 by bringing the handset adapter110 in the general vicinity of the magnet 200.

As discussed, the carrier 150 may be made of a non-magnetic material,which does not communicate the magnetic field across the carrier 150. Asa result, the magnetic field may remain focused on the magnet 200, whichhas sufficient magnetic attraction to support the microphone. If thecarrier 150 were magnetic, the adapter 110 may be slightly attracted tothe carrier 150, which may lead to misplacement of the adapter 110partially or completely off of the magnet 200. Misplacement of theadapter 110 may especially occur with a magnetic carrier 150 when theuser is placing the adapter 110 based on feel alone, and without visualassistance. This may lead to the microphone and adapter 110 becomingunintentionally disengaged from the magnet 200 and carrier 150, whiledriving a vehicle, for example.

The backing plate 180 may be magnetic or magnetically permeable, and mayisolate the magnetic field from the environment surrounding the radiomicrophone mounting system 100 to provide a consistent magnetic forcebetween the handset adapter 110 and the magnet 200. Otherwise, theenvironment surrounding the radio microphone mounting system 100 mayincrease or decrease the strength of the magnetic field. For example, ifthe dashboard or console where the microphone may be mounted is madefrom a magnetic material, then the strength of the magnetic field may beincreased if a non-magnetic backing plate 180 were not included.

The sizes of the magnet 200, the carrier 150 and the backing plate 180may provide a desired pull force to remove the handset adapter 110 fromthe magnet 200. Optionally, the pull force may be between approximately20-30 pounds, and further optionally approximately 25 pounds.Optionally, the magnet 200 may have a diameter between approximately 0.5inches and 1.5 inches, and further optionally approximately 1.0 inch.Optionally, the magnet 200 may have a thickness of approximately 0.1inches to 0.4 inches, and further optionally approximately 0.25 inches.Optionally, in the region of the lip 154, the carrier 150 may have athickness between approximately 0.1 and 0.6 inches, and furtheroptionally approximately 0.3125 inches. Optionally in the region withoutthe lip 154, the carrier 150 may have a thickness between approximately0.1 and 0.5 inches, and further optionally approximately 0.2625 inches.Optionally, the backing plate 180 may have a thickness betweenapproximately 0.05 and 0.2 inches, and further optionally approximately0.125 inches.

The radio microphone mounting system 100 may also provide benefits withregard to grounding the microphone. In uses such as in emergencyvehicles, a scanner is typically audible to the emergency personnel.However, when a user wishes to use the microphone, it is desirable thatthe scanner be muted or otherwise turned off. This may be accomplishedby the microphone being grounded while it is mounted, and ungroundedwhen it is removed from the mount by the user. Accordingly, if the radiosystem is grounded, the system may allow the scanner to be at fullvolume, and when the radio system is ungrounded, the scanner may beautomatically placed at a reduced or muted volume. In the radiomicrophone mounting system 100, an integral grounding path is configuredto allow the radio system to ground when the handset adapter 110 andmagnet 200 are connected. One embodiment of an integral grounding pathis shown in FIGS. 26-27. The integral grounding path includes one ormore conductive elements 222 extending between the magnet 200 and apotential ground 320. For example, the dashboard or center console couldserve as a potential ground, if either are grounded. As illustrated, thegrounding path may include apertures 156, 220 extending from the magnet200 through the carrier 150 and the backing plate 180. An electricallyconductive element 222 may be positioned within the aperture 220 and maycontact the magnet 200 and the potential ground 320. It should be notedthat, if the dashboard or center console are not grounded, a potentialground may be created by attaching an electrical wire between theconductive element 222 and another grounded element of the vehicle. Theelectrically conductive element 222 may be any suitable element,including an electrically conductive spring. One or more fasteners 224,226 may be inserted through the apertures 158, 160, 182, 184 to securethe assembly.

Another embodiment of an integral grounding path is shown in FIGS.28-29. This configuration is similar to the embodiment in FIGS. 26-27,except that a second electrically conductive element 232 is positionedbetween the backing plate 180 and the mounting surface 320. The secondconductive element 232 may be positioned so that the conductive element222 contacts the second conductive element 232, and so that one or bothof the fasteners 224, 226 bite into the second conductive element 232while mounting the carrier 150 and backing plate 180. The secondconductive element 232 may be any suitable conductive element, includinga strip of conductive material. In this configuration, the conductiveelement 222 may conduct between the magnet 200 and the secondelectrically conductive element 232, and the fasteners 224, 226 mayconduct between the second electrically conductive element 232 and thepotential ground 320.

In a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 28-29, the second electricallyconductive element 232 may be positioned between the carrier 150 and thebacking plate 180. In this manner, the aperture 220 through the backingplate 180 may be eliminated. In this variation, the conductive element222 may conduct between the magnet 200 and the second electricallyconductive element 232, and the fasteners 224, 226 may conduct betweenthe second electrically conductive element 232 and the potential ground320. In yet another variation shown in FIGS. 30-33, the secondconductive element 232 and aperture 220 may be eliminated, and one ormore toothed washers 234, 236 may be positioned between the backingplate 180 and mounting surface 320. During installation of one or bothfasteners 224, 226, the washers 234, 236 may engage the fasteners 224,226 and may also bite into or otherwise contact the backing plate 180.In this configuration, the conductive element 222 may conduct betweenthe magnet 200 and the backing plate 180, the toothed washers 234, 236may conduct between the backing plate 180 and the fasteners 224, 226,and the fasteners 224, 226 may conduct between the toothed washers 234,236 and the potential ground 320. This variation may be especiallyuseful if the material in the backing plate 180 is too hard for thefasteners 224, 226 to bite into during installation.

In another embodiment, the carrier 150 may be coated with anelectrically conductive coating, and one or more fasteners 224, 226 maybe inserted through the apertures 158, 160, 182, 184 and into apotential ground 320. The one or more fasteners 224, 226 may bite intoor otherwise contact the electrically conductive coating and thepotential ground 320. In this configuration, the coating may conductbetween the magnet 200 and the fasteners 224, 226, and the fasteners224, 226 may conduct between the coating and the potential ground 320.Optionally, the electrically conductive coating may also be non-magneticand sufficiently thin so as not to interrupt the magnetic field createdby the assembly. The coating may be applied to the carrier 150 via anysuitable process, including spraying and adhering. Optionally, thecoating may be a separate element secured to the carrier 150 by one orboth fasteners 224, 226. For example, the coating may be a plate 238secured to the carrier 150 as shown in FIGS. 34-36. The coating may beany suitable material, including stainless steel.

In another embodiment, the carrier 150 may be conductive, but notmagnetic. For example, uncoated aluminum may be used for the carrier150. In this configuration, the fasteners 224, 226 would bite into orotherwise contact the carrier 150 so that the carrier 150 conducts fromthe magnet 200 to the fasteners 224, 226, and the fasteners 224, 226conduct from the carrier 150 to the potential ground 320.

FIGS. 37-39 illustrate another exemplary radio microphone mountingsystem 500 that is similar to the mounting system 100 except for themanner in which the handset adapter and magnet are used to mount theradio microphone 300. Therefore, part numbers of elements of themounting system 500 similar to those of the mounting system 100 arelabeled with part numbers similar to the mounting system 100 increasedby 400.

Referring now to FIGS. 37-38, the mounting system 500 generally includesa handset adapter 510 that is mounted onto the hang up clip 310 of theradio microphone 300 to mount a magnet 600 to the microphone 300. Thehandset adapter 510 can include an aperture 516 extending coaxiallythrough the handset adapter 510, which is configured to receive a setscrew 517 and optional washer 519 for securing the handset adapter 510to the hang up clip 310. The handset adapter 510 further includes a diskportion 590 having a slot 512 and a groove 514 similar to that describedabove for the handset adapter 110 of FIGS. 7-10 for mounting to the hangup clip 310 in a manner similar to that described above for the handsetadapter 110. The handset adapter 510 can be made from any suitablematerial, non-limiting examples of which include a polymeric material ora metal alloy.

The magnet 600 can be secured to an exterior surface of the handsetadapter 510 opposite an interior surface facing the microphone 300 usingany known mechanical or non-mechanical fasteners or combinationsthereof. In one example, the magnet 600 can be secured to the exteriorsurface of the handset adapter 510 using an adhesive. In anotherexample, the magnet 600 can be secured to the handset adapter 510 usinga mechanical fastener, such as a set screw, a clamp, or a clip.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 37-38, the handset adapter 510 caninclude a housing 591 for mounting the magnet 600 to the handset adapter510. As illustrated in FIGS. 37-38, the housing 591 can include a cavitywithin which the magnet 600 is inserted. The housing 591 can include alip that at least partially covers a side surface of the magnet 600 forprotecting the magnet 600. The magnet 600 can optionally be securedwithin the cavity of the housing 591 through a friction fitconfiguration, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or a combinationthereof. In one example, the magnet 600 can be ring shaped such that theset screw 517 passes through the magnet 600 for securing the handsetadapter 510 to the hang up clip 300. In another example, the housing 591does not include a cavity and the magnet 600 is mounted to a face of thehousing 591 using an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or a combinationthereof.

The handset adapter 510 can optionally include an adapter cover 595configured to protect the magnet 600 and/or facilitate securing themagnet 600 to the handset adapter 510. The adapter cover 595 can be madefrom a polymeric material that provides cushioning and/or shockabsorption to the magnet 600 to minimize damage to the magnet 600 duringuse. The adapter cover 595 can be secured to the handset adapter 510 inany suitable manner. In the example illustrated in FIG. 38, the adaptercover 595 can include an aperture 700 configured to receive the setscrew 517 for securing the adapter cover 595 to the handset adapter 510.Optionally, the adapter cover 595 can be made of an elastic polymeric orrubber material such that the adapter cover 595 can be stretched to fitaround the magnet 600 and the housing 591 to secure the magnet 600within the housing 591 through a frictional fit. In another optionalembodiment, the adapter cover 595 can be configured to surround aperimeter of the housing 591 and include a lip that snap-fits around aninterior surface 518 of the handset adapter 510 that faces themicrophone 300. In yet another example, when the housing 591 includes alip defining a cavity into which the magnet 600 is inserted, the adaptercover 595 can include a lip that snap-fits within the housing lip.

FIG. 39 illustrates a manner in which the handset adapter 510 can bemounted to the microphone 300. The handset adapter 510 can be assembledwith the magnet 600 positioned between the housing 591 and the adaptercover 595 prior to or subsequent to sliding the disk portion 590 ontothe hang up clip 310 in a manner similar to that described above for thehandset adapter 110 of FIGS. 7-10. When the handset adapter 510 andmagnet 600 are in place relative to the radio microphone 300, the washer519 can be positioned adjacent the adapter cover 595 and the set screw517 can be threaded through the aperture 700 in the adapter cover 595,through the center of the ring shaped magnet 600, and through theaperture 516 to press against the hang up clip 310 to secure the handsetadapter 510 to the microphone 300.

In this manner, the assembled handset adapter 510 provides themicrophone 300 with a magnet 600 that can be used to mount themicrophone 300 to a suitable magnetic or magnetically attractablesurface. As discussed above with respect to the mounting system 100, thestrength and optional polarity of the magnet 600 can be selected toprovide the desired amount of attraction between the magnet 600 andwhatever surface the microphone 300 is to be mounted to. The desiredamount of magnetic strength can be based on the amount of strengthrequired to securely mount the microphone 300 to a mounting surfacewhile also allowing a user to easily mount and remove the microphone 300during use.

In one example, the handset adapter 510 can be used to mount themicrophone to a magnet secured to a mounting surface by the housing 32of FIGS. 5 and 6 or the carrier 150 of FIGS. 7-10. In another example,the handset adapter 510 can be used to mount the microphone 300 to amagnetically attractable surface provided in the mounting area, such asa metal frame within the vehicle or adjacent work surface. In stillanother example, the housing 32 and carrier 150 described above can beused to mount a magnetically attractable material instead of a magnetfor magnetically attracting the magnet 600 of the handset adapter 510.

Alternatively, rather than mounting a magnet to the microphone 300, thehandset adapter 510 can be used to mount a non-magnet that includes amagnetically attractable material to the microphone instead of themagnet 600. In this manner the handset adapter 510 can be used to mountthe microphone 300 to a magnet in a manner similar to that describedabove with respect to the handset adapter 110 of FIGS. 7-10. Forexample, the housing 591 can be used to mount a magnetically attractablematerial in a manner similar to which the magnet 600 is mounted to thehousing 591. In this alternative example, the disk portion 590 can bemade from a non-magnet material. In another example, the housing 591 canbe made from a magnetically attractable material for direct interactionwith a magnet provided on the mounting surface. In these examples, thehandset adapter 510 can then be used to mount the microphone 300 to amounting surface using the housing 32 of FIGS. 5 and 6 or the carrier150 of FIGS. 7-10 which support a magnet on a mounting surface in amanner similar to that described above.

The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention.Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from thespirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles ofpatent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure ispresented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as anexhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limitthe scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated ordescribed in connection with these embodiments. For example, and withoutlimitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may bereplaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similarfunctionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes,for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those thatmight be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternativeelements that may be developed in the future, such as those that oneskilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative.For example, elements of the microphone mounting systems 100 and 500 canbe used interchangeable or in combination with each other as desired.Elements of one or more of the mounting systems 100 and 500 can be mixedand matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the newembodiments are expressly disclosed, and used in combination with any ofthe mounting surfaces, housings, or carriers described herein. Further,the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that aredescribed in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collectionof benefits. The present invention is not limited to only thoseembodiments that include all of these features or that provide all ofthe stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forthin the issued claims. Elements of any embodiment may be used incombination with elements of other embodiments. Any reference to claimelements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,”“the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to thesingular.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conversion kit for a radio handset microphonehaving a mechanical mounting system, the conversion kit capable ofconverting the mechanical mounting system to a magnetic mounting systemcomprising: a magnetic handset adapter configured to attach directly toa pre-existing mechanical hang-up clip of the radio handset microphone,the pre-existing mechanical hang-up clip being on an exterior of andextending from the radio handset microphone, the hang-up clip having apost and a tongue extending from said post disposed on the exterior ofthe radio handset microphone, the handset adapter configured to mountthe tongue without any disassembly of the handset microphone, themagnetic handset adapter including at least one of a magnet and amagnetically attractable material, said handset adapter being anextension of the mechanical hang-up clip when attached, the magnetichandset adapter and the at least one of a magnet and a magneticallyattractable material being disposed on the exterior of the radio handsetmicrophone when attached to the pre-existing mechanical hang-up clip;whereby the handset adapter is configured to mount the radio handsetmicrophone to a mounting surface via the mechanical hang-up clip througha magnetic attraction, the magnetic handset adapter configured to remainattached to the mechanical hang-up clip of the radio handset microphoneas the radio handset microphone is mounted to and removed from amounting surface.
 2. The conversion kit of claim 1 wherein the handsetadapter includes a generally circular disk defining a slot and a groove.3. The conversion kit of claim 2 wherein the handset adapter furthercomprises a magnet disposed on a side of the adapter opposite the slotand groove for magnetically mounting the handset microphone to themounting surface.
 4. The conversion kit of claim 3 wherein the magnet isring shaped.
 5. The conversion kit of claim 3 wherein the handsetadapter includes a set screw for securing the handset adapter to thehang-up clip.
 6. The conversion kit of claim 5 wherein the set screw ispositioned coaxially with respect to the handset adapter.
 7. Theconversion kit of claim 3 wherein the handset adapter further includes ahousing having a cavity, with the magnet at least one of frictionallysecured or adhesively secured within the cavity.
 8. The conversion kitof claim 3, further comprising an adapter cover disposed over the magnetfor at least one of covering or securing the magnet to the handsetadapter.
 9. The conversion kit of claim 8 wherein the adaptor cover issecured to the handset adapter by at least one of a friction fit, a setscrew, or an adhesive.
 10. The conversion kit of claim 8 wherein theadaptor cover comprises a polymeric material.
 11. The conversion kit ofclaim 3, further comprising a housing supporting a magnet capable ofattracting the magnet, the housing configured to attach to the mountingsurface for magnetically mounting the handset microphone to the mountingsurface.
 12. The conversion kit of claim 1 wherein the handset adapterfurther comprises a non-magnet including a magnetically attractablematerial disposed on a side of the adapter opposite a slot and a groove,the conversion kit further comprising a housing supporting a magnetcapable of attracting the non-magnet, the housing configured to attachto the mounting surface for magnetically mounting the handset microphoneto the mounting surface.
 13. The conversion kit of claim 1 wherein thehandset adaptor comprises a metal alloy.
 14. The conversion kit of claim1 wherein the handset adapter includes a slot and a groove sized to fita plurality of hang-up clip sizes.
 15. A conversion kit for a radiohandset microphone having a mechanical mounting system, the conversionkit capable of converting the mechanical mounting system to a magneticmounting system comprising: a handset adapter configured to attachdirectly to a pre-existing mechanical hang-up clip, the hang-up clip,the hang-up clip having a post and a tongue extending from said postdisposed on the exterior of the radio handset microphone, the handsetadapter configured to be affixed to the tongue of the mechanical hang-upclip without any disassembly of the handset microphone, said handsetadapter being an extension of the mechanical hang-up clip when attachedto the mechanical hang-up clip; and a housing supporting a magnetcapable of attracting the handset adapter, the housing configured toattach to a mounting surface, whereby the handset adapter is configuredto mount the radio handset microphone to a mounting surface via themechanical hang-up clip through a magnetic attraction between thehandset adapter and the magnet supported by the housing, the handsetadapter being removable from the mounting surface by separating thehandset adapter from the magnet while the handset adapter remainsattached to the mechanical hang-up clip and the housing remains attachedto a mounting surface.
 16. The conversion kit of claim 15 wherein thehandset adapter includes a generally circular disk defining a slot and agroove.
 17. The conversion kit of claim 15 wherein the handset adapterincludes a set screw for securing the handset adapter to the hang-upclip.
 18. The conversion kit of claim 15 wherein the magnet is securedto the housing with a friction fit.
 19. The conversion kit of claim 15wherein the magnet is axially polarized.
 20. The conversion kit of claim15 wherein the handset adapter further comprises a magnet disposed on aside of the adapter opposite a slot and a groove for magneticallymounting the handset microphone to the magnet attached to the mountingsurface.